Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven will have one of his biggest fans watching him against Airdrie United on Saturday Diamonds manager Jimmy Boyle.
Mackay-Steven already boasted a fine pedigree, having been on the books at Liverpool as a youngster, but it was Boyle who helped shape him into the player that tempted Tannadice boss Peter Houston to give him a step up to the SPL in the summer.
The Highlander may very well come back to haunt Airdrie when he lines up against them in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. However, it is clear he is still well thought of down Lanarkshire way and Boyle was keen to sing his praises.
”Gary is a fantastic player and I am not surprised in the least that he’s doing well in the SPL,” he said. ”He joined us after leaving Liverpool and was really just looking to get fit again.
”You could see him improve week-on-week for us last season as he got a run in the team and that’s why clubs like United were watching him. He is very good on the ball, he can beat players and can carry the ball at speed.
”He has also scored a few goals in the Premier League already, which is great considering it’s all fairly new to him.
”I really enjoyed working with him because he was a good boy who wanted to learn as much as he could. He had taken a knock at Liverpool with his injury problems but has worked really hard to get things back on track.
”He is still really young so there is much more to come from him.”
The two sides met earlier this season in the Scottish Communities League Cup, with Jon Daly and Ryan Dow on the scoresheet in a 2-0 United win. They didn’t get it all their own way back in September, though, and Boyle believes the visitors will be tested for a second time.
”We gave United a really good game down here in the League Cup and we are hoping to do the same again,” he said. ”One thing for sure is that we won’t just be sitting in trying to defend. We will be playing our usual game and trying to make home advantage count.
”We are in really good form at the moment and have only lost once in our last eight matches so the boys are full of confidence.
”Of course we know it’s going to be very difficult. Jon Daly is a top striker and is banging in the goals at the moment, while Johnny Russell is always very dangerous. That’s to name just two of their players!”